Greetings, dedicated readers. I‟m taking a small break from the main story of the Bradfords to bring you an

interlude about Alexander and Kaylynn Langerak and Isaac Thompson‟s journey west to Simta Fe.

This story has been in my head for some time, and I hope that you enjoy what I‟ve come up with. I was

always huge fan of Little House on the Prairie (the books and the TV show), so this is my way of paying

homage to the thousands who packed everything they owned into a little wagon and followed the setting

sun to seek their fortunes.

And now, I give you Oh Pioneers!: A Bradford Legacy Interlude.

Part the First: What Has Come Before

My earliest memories are of a small terrace house in Portsimouth. I remember the house where I was

born, even thought it has been nearly twenty years since my foot last crossed its threshold. There was

barely enough room for all of us, but it was ours.

My Ma and Pa had crossed the ocean when they were newlyweds, seeking a better life than the one that

awaited them in their homeland of SimIreland. The famine was bad that year. Many, including aunts and

cousins, died from hunger. My Pa managed to scrape enough coin together to get him and Ma on a ship to

Simerica. There, they thought, all would be well.

Oh, if they had only known how wrong they were.

They had such dreams, my Ma and Pa. Dreams that their children would have a better life than they had.

“Polly, our children will someday be landowners,” Pa would say. “They won‟t have to farm for someone

else and barely survive as we did. You‟ll see!”

My Ma would laugh. “Rufus, you are a true SimIrishman. Land, land, land. „Tis all you think of.”

“Land is what matters. It is what lasts.”

For years, they tried to save enough to get out of the city. But things kept getting in their way.

Soon, they were the parents of four children, and there was no way to save money to buy land. My

older brother, Gideon, did what he could to help earn money, but with his limited education there were

few jobs that he qualified for. I tried to help by tending to my younger twin siblings, Mary and Arnold, but

I was barely more than a child myself.

While l know that my schoolmates looked down on me for being poor, I never felt that way. Though our

clothes were worn and turned several times and there was often barely enough food to go around, I was

happy. Ma and Pa loved us all, and there is much that love will do for a child.

I don‟t know exactly what my Pa did to bring income to the family, nor did I ask. He would rally on about

how all the good jobs had a NSINA policy in place. Pa wouldn‟t tell me what that meant, so I asked

Gideon. My brother told me that it meant No SimIrish Need Apply. I was shocked at such blatant

discrimination, but Gideon said that it was the way of the world, and until we could shake off our heritage,

we would be destined to forever relegated to the fringe of society.

From that day forward, I worked hard to hide the hint of an accent I had, and to keep myself as neat and

clean as possible. I had heard the stereotypes about my people, and I wanted to prove to the world that

they were untrue.

My Ma, on the other hand, spoke openly about the family that she worked for as a maid of all work. She

worked long hours for them, leaving in the small hours of the morning and often not returning home until

well after dark.

“A fine family they are, the Travellers,” she would say. “Their daughter, Tina, is about your age, Kaylynn,

and she is such a little lady.”

Ma had much respect for her employers, and tried to teach us the manners she saw them use. “It shall

help you if you know the rules of society,” she insisted.

Pa and Gideon brushed off her attempts to teach us etiquette, but I was an apt pupil. Someday, I hoped

that I would be able to have more than a small tenant house in the wrong part of the city, and I would need

to know how to behave when that happened.

I enjoyed learning, and would often be found studying when I was finished my chores and the twins were

down for a nap. It was there that my Ma found me one day and announced that we were moving to a new

house. I had hoped that it would be to a better part of the city, but it was not. It was a smaller house that

all six of us could barely fit into, but it cost less so we might be able to save for that elusive piece of land to

call our own.

One day, I arrived home from school earlier than usual to find my mother in the kitchen.

“Ma, what‟s wrong? Did you get sacked?”

“No, silly child. The Travellers have left for their house up in the mountains. With them not home, there is

no cause for me to clean every day.”

She turned from the sink to look at me. “Goodness, child! What has happened to you?”

I reached up to touch the blood streaming from my nose.

“One of the children threw a stone at me.”

“Whatever for?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I do not know, Ma. They all pick on me. I don‟t know why. Maybe it‟s because

I‟m SimIrish.”

“Kaylynn, listen to me,” she said, as she wiped the blood from my face with a dingy handkerchief, “You

cannot let your heritage define who you are entirely. Yes, because of where your Pa and I were born, we

face the ignorance and discrimination of others. But that is not all of who you are. You are a smart little

girl. You are going places, my daughter. Trust me when I say that.”

I looked into her eyes, willing myself to believe what she said. She did not have to hear the taunts I did in

school and on the streets as I walked to and from the schoolhouse.

“Yes, Ma. I won‟t let it define who I am.”

“That‟s my brave girl. Now, go get cleaned up. We‟ll be supping early tonight.”

Time passed, and we all grew. My brother Gideon was practically a man, and the twins were now children.

I had become a teenager, but my love of learning remained strong. I read the few books I could get my

hands on, hoping that something bigger and better was in my future.

The grand plans that Ma and I had for me came crashing down one night.

Pa had not come home from work. We held dinner for him until Arnold cried with hunger. We waited as

the light faded and Ma was forced to light the candles. Eventually, we children dropped off to bed one by

one, but Ma did not sleep that night. She kept vigil, waiting for Pa to return.

When I rose early the next day and went downstairs for breakfast, I found Ma sobbing.

“What‟s wrong?”

“The constable just left. It‟s your Pa.”

“Pa?” I asked in a small voice.

“He‟s not coming home, Kaylynn.”

My Pa‟s body had been found in a back alley in the slums of Portsimouth. It had been picked clean of any

and everything of value.

I was devastated by the news, but Ma was inconsolable. I pushed my own grief aside as I comforted her.

“Why did this have to happen?” she sobbed.

“I don‟t know, Ma. Did the constable have any other information?”

“He had been beaten and bloodied so badly that he was almost unrecognizable. It‟s a miracle that they

were able to identify him at all.”

“How then…”

“The constable said that the recognized your Pa, but didn‟t say from where.”

“What are we doing to do? Without your Pa‟s income, we‟ll never be able to keep living here.”

“Hush, Ma. It will be all right. Gideon can work, and I will too, if that‟s what‟s required. We‟ll help you.”

“You‟re a good daughter, Kaylynn,” she sniffed. “You‟re right. We‟ll manage somehow.”

Gideon dropped out of school entirely and went to work. What he did, I could not say. I did not ask what

occupation brought in the coin that paid our rent and bought our food. All I knew what that Gideon worked

at night, and I knew of no respectable profession whose hours were dusk to dawn.

Ma and I did not speak of my working until several months after my Pa‟s death. I came home to find

everyone at the table.

“Kaylynn, I‟m glad you‟re home. I have something to discuss with you.”

“Yes, Ma?”

Ma looked at the rest of the children. “Upstairs. I need to speak with Kaylynn alone.”

I took a seat as my siblings clambered up the stairs.

“Kaylynn, did you mean what you said when you offered to work to help support the family?”

“Of course I did, Ma. Why? Do you have a position in mind for me?”

“The Traveller‟s daughter, Tina, is a little younger than you. Her parents have decided she needs a lady‟s

maid, and they are willing to take you on in that capacity.”

“I‟ve never been a lady‟s maid before.”

“You just need to help her dress, do her hair, and in general see to her needs. It‟s nothing more that what

you‟ve been doing for your sister, just with nicer things. What say you, Kaylynn?”

I looked at my Ma. The hollows on her face and the dark circles under her eyes had increased in the time

since Pa‟s death. She looked old and tired. I knew there was only one answer to her question.

“I‟ll do it, Ma.”

“Thank you, daughter. I know what a sacrifice this is for you, knowing how much you love your books.

Now, let us go upstairs. I have a dress for you to wear when we meet the Travellers tomorrow.”

The dress was plain, but it was still the finest outfit I had ever owned.

“You look the part, Kaylynn. Let us hope that you impress Mrs. Traveller.”

“I will, Ma. Don‟t you worry.”

The next morning, we went to the Traveller‟s house. It was in a good part of the city, near the public

gardens and the library, and it was the finest home I had ever seen.

“It‟s so big,” I marveled.

“This is just a townhouse, dear. If you think this is big, I‟ll have to take you for a walk on Elm Street. That

is where the truly rich live, in their mansions. Now hush. Mrs. Traveller is very particular. Wait to speak

until you are spoken to.”

“Yes, Ma.”

As we entered the dining room, Mrs. Traveller looked up from the letters she was writing.

“Ah, this must be the daughter you told me about.”

“Yes, Mrs. Traveller. This is my daughter, Kaylynn.”

Mrs. Traveller looked me over with a discerning eye. I kept my eyes downcast, awaiting her verdict.

“She‟ll do. Polly, go fetch Tina so that I may introduce her to Kaylynn.”

“Yes, Mrs. Traveller.”

I was discreetly admiring the room when a young lady in the most beautiful rose brocade dress I had ever

seen came into the room.

“You wished to see me, Mother?”

“Yes, dear. I have secured a lady‟s maid for you, This is Kaylynn. She is Polly‟s daughter, which indicates

to me that she will be a hard worker who behaves with the utmost of decorum.”

The young lady turned her attention to me.

“I‟m Tina,” she said. “You‟ll be my maid. I need help dressing for the morning, then for whatever the day‟s

activities may allow, and then for supper and the evening. You‟ll be in charge of my wardrobe, and getting

whatever else I need.”

“Yes, miss,” I replied automatically.

“You may refer to my daughter as „Miss Tina‟ when it is just the family, but as „Miss Traveller‟ when there

are others about,” instructed Mrs. Traveller.

“Of course, Mrs. Traveller.”

“Yes, Mother. Now, Mother and I will be making calls shortly. Come with me and help me change into my

visiting dress.”

“Yes, Miss Tina,” I replied, following her up the stairs.

Not long after I started maiding for Tina, Arnold took ill. He had always been a sickly child, consumptive

Ma always said. He was home alone with Mary at the time of his sudden attack of coughing, and she ran

for help.

By the time Mary arrived back with one of the neighbors, it was too late. Arnold was dead. He was buried

in the cemetery next to Pa.

Mary was seemingly unaffected by her twin brother‟s death. She took a sudden interest in being

fastidiously clean, always washing her face and hands. I was pleased that she was showing a desire to be

tidy, but I didn‟t quite understand her obsession.

As Mary grew, both Ma and I suddenly realized Mary‟s desire to be clean. She grew into what everyone

called “the pretty Langerak girl.” I knew the fate that befell many “pretty girls” in our neighborhood, and

prayed that Mary would be able to avoid it. I did not want to see my sister labeled as a whore.

Time passed quickly, and soon, Tina was preparing for her last party as a young girl. I did her hair and

dress with special care that night; several “eligible young men” would be in attendance, and Tina was

hoping to catch one of their eyes.

“You look like a rose, Miss Tina. A great yellow rose.”

Tina laughed. “Thank you, Kaylynn. You were right; this gown does suit me better than my pink one. I just

hope it works.”

“If your dance card isn‟t filled within the first five minutes of entering the ballroom, I‟ll forfeit a week‟s

wages.”

“I don‟t think that will be necessary. Yes, this will do. You can go home now, Kaylynn. I‟ll be home very

late, and Mother‟s maid will help me undress.”

“Thank you, Miss Tina.”

Not long after Tina and my birthdays, she called me into her room.

“Kaylynn, Mr. Jace Rusewicz has asked me to marry him, and I have accepted.”

“Congratulations, Miss Tina. That is wonderful news.”

“It is. He is from a very wealthy family, and I‟ll be moving to his family home on Elm Street.”

“How lovely for you.”

“Yes. Kaylynn, once I am married I will no longer need your services. Mr. Rusewicz has a full staff.”

“Oh.”

“I am sorry, Kaylynn. You have been a good servant all these years. And of course, I will need you to help

me get ready for my wedding. That will be held here.”

I fought to hide my disappointment and worry. “Of course, Miss Tina. I‟m certain your wedding will be

lovely.”

Tina was a vision on her wedding day. Her gown was airy and lacey, and probably cost about two years of

my wages.

She smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror. “You have worked another miracle, Kaylynn. I look

stunning.”

“That you do, Miss Tina. I‟ll go and tell your mother that you‟re ready.”

I watched from the hallway as Tina Traveller married Jace Rusewicz. Both bride and groom looked very

happy, but Mrs. Traveller was the one truly beaming. I imagined that this marriage was the result of her

handiwork, as was most of what occurred in the house.

As soon as the ceremony concluded, I slipped out the back door. I was now unemployed, and that would

not do. The family was depending on me to help support it, now more than ever.

Ma‟s years of hard labor had caught up to her, and she was no longer able to work. She spent much of her

days resting, hoping that she might find enough strength to make herself useful. That was where I found

her when I returned home from the Travellers for the last time.

“Miss Tina‟s married?” Ma asked.

I nodded my head.

“Well, that‟s fine for her. What do you plan to do now, Kaylynn?”

“I don‟t know, Ma.”

Ma fell asleep before she could reply.

What am I going to do? I worried. I’m the only one that has been bringing an honest source of income into

this house for years. And someone has to take care of Ma. She’s worked herself out providing for us. I

need to find work, and quickly.

I refused to touch money from my brother and sister. I knew where their coin came from, and I wanted no

part of it.

I had been right about Gideon‟s hours of employment meaning that he wasn‟t part of a respectable trade.

He had fallen in with a gang of thugs, and he made his money by swindling and stealing. He had moved

out years ago, but still sent money home at random intervals, though he himself never bothered to call.

And then there was Mary. My worst fears for her had come true, and she made her money using her good

looks and her body. Ma did not know what her baby was doing, and I had not the heart to tell her myself.

My family had fallen far, but I would not allow myself to go down with them. I searched high and low for a

respectable position, and shortly found it.

I answered an advertisement in the newspaper for a maid of all work at the Bradford Society, one of the

many fraternities in the city around the university. Most of the members took no notice of me, except to let

me know of a mess that needed tidying. The one exception was Alexander Bradford, the grandson of the

man who founded the fraternity. He was always spoke words of greeting, and he was one of the few who

would clean up after himself.

He was even kind enough to give me what I thought to be an advance on my wages when Ma was

particularly ill. Later though, when the president of the society handed me my pay, I realized that Alex had

given me his pocket money.

If I had dared to have any more dreams, I would have imagined that Alex actually cared for me, and that

perhaps Ma had been right, that I was destined for bigger things. But there was no time for dreams in my

life. I had to work hard to support Ma, as she had for me for all those years.

It wasn‟t until Alex and I met in the city as I was headed home from my second job that I let myself hope

that he might care again. He offered to buy me dinner, and though I protested, I was so happy when he

practically ordered me to dine with him.

Once in the restaurant, I began to regret my decision. The other diners were looking at me with disgust,

and at Alex with disdain. I knew he was of a different class than I, and being seen with me would

undoubtedly hurt his prospects. I tried to explain that to Alex, but he lost his temper. Feeling guilty for

upsetting him after he had purchased me such a nice dinner, I followed him.

When Alex kissed me, I was shocked. He should have been kissing someone like Miss Tina, not me. But

Alex was most insistent that I was just as worthy of his affections as those ladies which I had served.

I finally allowed myself to imagine that I might be able to live the life my Ma and Pa had dreamed of for me.

I don‟t know exactly when I had learned to care for Alex, but he obviously felt the same way I did. It was an

incredible feeling, to know that a man of class and rank could care for a nothing like me.

Our courtship progressed quickly. I think that Alex, though he never spoke it, knew that my past had forced

me to grow up more than most. We dined out often, and though I felt guilty about abandoning my mother

to the care of my siblings, I craved Alex‟s companionship. He was the one person who saw me as who I

was, and who I had the potential to be. To be loved in that way was truly a grand thing.

When he asked me to be his wife, I could barely believe it. The fates had smiled on me, just as Ma had

predicted. I said yes.

Now I’ll finally be able to hold my head up in society, and they’ll see me as a lady.

The day after our engagement, Alex took me to meet his family. I was nervous as soon as I saw the

house. It was big, but not so grand as the mansions on Elm Street that my Ma had once shown me. This

family had history in the area going back several generations. Alex took my hand and assured me that his

family would love me as much as he did.

Alex was right, of course. His parents, Carolina and Thomas, were truly delightful people. Kind souls, my

Ma would have said. I took a liking to them instantly, as I had with Alex‟s twin sister Phily when we met at

the fraternity house. I hoped that Alex‟s other siblings would be just as kind.

Unfortunately, that was not to be. After we left the Bradford‟s home, Alex told me that he had fought with

his brother, Matthew, over the engagement. Apparently, Matthew took issue with his brother marrying a

serving girl of SimIrish decent. That was the one fear that I had when I accepted Alex‟s proposal: that he

would suffer because of the prejudices of my heritage.

Shortly before the wedding, Alex took me to the small house he had rented for us.

“Do you not like it?” he said, noticing the pensive look on my face.

“Alex, it‟s lovely. But after what happened with Matthew, are you certain you still want to marry me?”

“Katie,” he said, taking my hands in his, “I can‟t imagine my life without you in it. I don‟t care what my

brother thinks. You and I are getting married, and we‟re going to live happily ever after.”

I smiled, blinking back tears. “Yes we are, Alex. And when did you decide to start calling me „Katie?‟”

He shrugged. “It suits you better, I think.”

“I like it.”

It was a lovely wedding, held in the small backyard of what would be our home. Alex‟s parents were there,

as well as his sister Phily and her dear friend Meadow Thayer. His elder sisters, Anne, Diana, and

Henrietta sent their regrets and well wishes along with lovely gifts. Matthew was the sole member of the

Bradford family that was not present and did not respond to our invitation. Alex didn‟t care. He had me,

and he continued to insist that was all he needed.

Alex and I settled into our married life quickly. He worked for the Portsimouth Herald, the local newspaper,

while I stayed at home for the first time in my life. I kept house, but my years of working as a maid helped

be to complete the household chores quickly and efficiently. My newfound free time was filled with new

pursuits, like painting and learning languages like SimFrench. It was wonderful to not have to worry about

where my next meal was coming from, or how the rent would be paid. Alex was very generous, and sent

money to my Ma for her upkeep, since I wasn‟t working any more.

He did no have to pay for her upkeep for long. Not long after our marriage, Ma passed on. Winter had

been hard for her, and I knew that she still pined for Pa. We buried her next to him, and Arnold, in the

pauper‟s section of the cemetery. I went to visit her grave once after the burial.

“I wish I could have made your life better, as you were able to do for me. I‟ll never forget what you said. I

know that I‟m destined for something great. I just wish that you could have been here to see it.”

I noticed that Alex was becoming quiet and withdrawn, and I worried that he was regretting his decision to

marry me. Once night at dinner, he asked in quiet tones, “Katie, are you happy?”

“Alex, what‟s wrong?”

He sighed. “I miss the farm, and the countryside. I feel like I‟m suffocating here in the city.”

“I‟ve never had the opportunity to live anywhere else.”

“I thought as much. You saw what the farm was like. Right now, Mama will be thinking about what to plant

in the spring, and Papa will be seeing to the orchard trees, to make sure they survived the winter intact.

You barely notice the seasons change here, Katie. It‟s stifling.”

“I know, Alex. But what other choice do we have? We haven‟t saved enough to buy land in Simsfield, or

anywhere else near it.”

“Katie, what would you say to going west?”

After listening to Alex and talking, I began to think. It would be a great way to make a fresh start, for both of

us. Gideon and Mary wouldn‟t need or miss me, and I knew that we would be able to forge a name based

on our work, not on our past.

“Let‟s do it,” I agreed.

Alex‟s smile lit up the entire room. “I can‟t wait to work with my hands in the dirt again. I‟ll make a great

home for you in Simta Fe, Katie. I promise.”

“I know you will, Alex.”

After sharing the news with Alex‟s family, his cousin Isaac insisted on coming with us to make a fresh start

for himself. I wasn‟t too keen on his coming, knowing his reputation, but it would be nice to have another

man with us on the long journey to Simta Fe. As the date for our departure grew nearer, I began to worry.

It was a long journey, one that would take us many months. I had read horrible accounts of what happened

to travelers who took the wrong trail, or didn‟t calculate their provisions correctly.

“Katie, don‟t worry. We‟re going to be fine. There are plenty of trading posts along the way where we can

replenish our supplies, rivers where we can fish, and I‟m sure that Isaac will want to try his hand at hunting.

We‟ve got the route planned out. We‟ll be in Simta Fe before the end of summer.”

“I can‟t help but worry. This is such a big undertaking…”

“Katie, where‟s your pioneering spirit? Your Ma and Pa set out to make a better life for you, and that‟s

what you‟re doing!”

“Yes,” I smiled. “Pa always wanted us to grow up on a plot of land that we could call our own. He wasn‟t

able to secure it for me, but I‟ll have it for my children.”

“He‟d be proud of you, Katie.”

Early one morning, the three of us packed the last of our things into the small covered wagon that would be

our home for the next few months. With Isaac‟s cry of “Westward ho!”, we were off to chase the setting

sun. I had no idea what would happen to us once we reached Simta Fe, but I had a feeling that fate would

smile on us.

Part the Second: Destiny Manifested

The days started to blend together after the first month on the trail. It became especially monotonous once

we reached the Great Plains, and we traveled for hours with no change to the scenery. Still, I was in good

spirits. I was admired by my fellow pioneers for my work ethic, and Alex was once again the smiling,

laughing man that I remembered meeting. Deep inside, I felt a great deal of pride in the fact that soon I,

Kaylynn Langerak, daughter of SimIrish immigrants, would be a landowner. I knew that this was what Ma

meant when she spoke of me being destined for greater things.

One day, about six months into our journey, Alex and I were enjoying the quiet. Isaac had ridden ahead to

scout a camping site, and we had left the rest of the wagon train behind at the last fork in the trail. We

were the only ones destined for Simta Fe.

“We should be there before the week is out,” commented Alex.

“I‟ll be glad to have a real roof over my head again.”

“We‟ll have to build a homestead before that happens. But I agree with you. As much as I‟ve enjoyed this

journey, I‟ll be glad to get back to some measure of civility once more.”

Isaac returned at that juncture, tearing up a cloud of dust in his wake. He reined in his horse, and jerked

her around to trot alongside the wagon.

“I found a great place to camp not far from here. There‟s even a small stream with fish! We‟ll eat like kings

tonight!”

“Excellent,” responded Alex. “We must be nearly there.”

“Anther two days by my calculations,” agreed Isaac.

“Thank goodness,” I muttered, hoping that no one would hear me. But both men laughed.

“Trail living‟s no way for a lady,” said Isaac.

“Oh, be quiet! You were complaining just the other day about wanting a proper bath in a tub!” I snapped.

“Too true, cousin of mine. And I intend on having one. The hotel in Simta Fe is bound to have a bath

house. We call all get nice and clean before we have to go and homestead in a shanty for the foreseeable

future.”

“Come on,” said Alex, clicking the reins, “We need to get a move on if we‟re going to make camp before

dark.”

We pulled up to the area that would be our campsite for the night, and clambered out of the wagon,

stretching limbs stiffed by hours of jostling and jarring.

“This is as good a place as any,” agreed Alex. “Can you tend to the horses while I get the tent set up?”

“Don‟t know why you‟ll need that,” muttered Isaac as he began to unhitch the team. “Warm enough to

sleep outside.”

“My wife likes a little privacy.”

“Of course she does. I‟m just saying that the weather out here is fantastic. Hardly a cloud in the sky.”

“You can set your bedroll up wherever you want, Isaac. But Katie wants her tent.”

While Isaac put the horses out on their picket lines, Alex set up the tent that he had brought for he and I to

use.

Once the horses were dealt with, Isaac grabbed his fishing pole from the wagon bows and set about

catching our dinner.

After I gathered wood and got a fire going to prepare dinner, I decided to enjoy a few moments soaking in

the warm sun. Isaac was right; the weather as we ventured further west was warmer and drier. It suited

me, though I had to take care and keep my sun bonnet on at all times or my fair complexion would get

sunburned.

I’m almost there, Ma and Pa. I’m going to have a farm to call my own. It’s what you dreamed of for me. I

just wish that you could be here to see it.

“Penny for your thoughts?” asked Alex as he joined me.

“Only one? I‟ve been thinking a lot lately.”

“I know. Is everything okay?”

“More than okay. I‟ve been thinking about how proud my parents would be of me right now.”

“They always wanted you to have land of your own.”

“And a family.”

Alex stared at me for a moment, and then his face broke out into a wide grin. “A family?”

I nodded. “It‟s a good thing that this journey is almost over.”

His hand caressed my stomach. “I‟m going to be a father. How long have you known?”

“I‟ve had my suspicions for a few weeks, but I didn‟t want to say anything in case I was wrong.”

“Hey lovebirds,” called Isaac, interrupting our moment, “One of you better get over here and help me catch

our dinner unless you want to eat hardtack again.”

“I‟ll go,” said Alex. “Rest. Our baby needs you to take care of yourself.”

Before long, Alex and Isaac had caught enough fish to make a meal. Alex even took care of cleaning

them, since the smell of raw fish made me nauseous.

When the fish was ready, we all enjoyed dinner. It had been several days since we‟d had anything fresh,

and the bass was like a delicacy. Isaac was even generous and took care of clean up that night.

We settled in around the fire, exhausted but not quite ready to turn in for the night.

“What are your plans once we get to Simta Fe, Isaac?”

“Not really sure. I thought I‟d help you get your homestead ready at first. Help with the crops. I‟m sure

what beyond that.”

“Don‟t you want to stake a claim of your own?”

“I thought about that, but I‟m not sure that I want to farm. Maybe I can find work in town as a carpenter or

something. I always did like working with my hands.”

“You‟ll have to inquire when we get into town, then.”

I grew more drowsy as the fire continued to crackle, and Alex and Isaac kept talking of their plans.

Eventually, I couldn‟t suppress a yawn so large that it felt as thought it might split my head in two.

“We‟re keeping you awake, Katie. Come on, Isaac. We can finish planning in the morning. Katie needs

her rest.”

Isaac unfolded his bedroll by the wagon, and Alex and I climbed into the tent. I fell asleep almost at once,

and didn‟t wake until the sun began to rise.

Two days later, we set out early as usual. Isaac rode ahead, dissatisfied with the slower pace of the

wagon. Not an hour later, he came tearing back on his horse, shouting.

“We‟re here! Simta Fe!”

Alex and I looked at each other, and broke out into huge grins. We were almost home.

“Come on,” he said, clicking the reins. “Giddy up!”

The horses seemed to sense that we were almost done with our journey, and picked up their pace at once.

They weren‟t the only ones looking forward to the end of the trail.

Soon, the main street of the town came into view. We passed a church, a bank, a hotel, and a saloon. The

town was bustling, despite the early hour. It was quaint, but I fell in love with it at once.

“We can probably grab a bite at the hotel if you want,” commented Alex.

“Let‟s,” I said. “It would be lovely to have a real meal for a change.”

As we approached the entrance to the hotel, we were hailed by one of the residents.

“Hola, señor! ¿Cómo estás?1”

“Um…”

“Oh, you are not speaking Español2?”

“No, I‟m afraid not.”

“Forgive me. I shall use the Inglés3 then. I am Carlos DeVega, and I have a rancho4 just outside of town

where I live with my esposa5 Rosa and hijo6 Luis.”

“I‟m Alexander Langerak, and this is my wife Katie and cousin Isaac. We‟ve come here from

Massimchusetts to stake a claim of land.”

“Ah! So you will be wanting a rancho7 of your own. Come, let us enjoy a meal. I shall tell you of Simta

Fe.”

1Hello sir! How are you? 2Spanish. 3English. 4Ranch. 5Wife. 6Son. 7Ranch.

We grabbed a table in the hotel and ordered breakfast.

“So, Mr. DeVega, what can you tell us about Simta Fe?”

“Please, señor, call me Carlos. We are a small town, but full of good folks. Many have tried to settle here,

but not all are successful. I hope that you and your family are able to survive the homesteading process.

Seven years is a long time to sit on a plot of land just so that you can call it your own. You appear to be

hard-working personas1, and I am sure that you will be able to win you little bet for the land the estado2

offers.”

1People 2Governement

“Where would you recommend that we settle, Carlos?” asked Alex.

“Well, since you have a familia1, might I suggest you lay claim to the old Griffin homestead? He built a

house, small at that, but had to leave before the seven years were up. It‟s a good location, and the house

is still in good condition.”

The idea of a house ready-made piqued Alex‟s interest right away.

“What do you think, Katie?”

1Family

“A homestead plot with a house already built would be wonderful,” I agreed, “But I‟d like to see it in person

before we offer for it.”

“Your wife is probably right,” agreed Isaac. “Why don‟t you two go check it out while I see about a job?”

“Sounds good to me. Carlos, can you show us the place?”

“¡Sí, señor! 1 We shall go right away!”

1Yes, sir!

Isaac stayed in town while Alex and I went with Carlos to check out the Griffin homestead. Later that night,

as we were unloading the wagon, Alex told me what Isaac had gotten up to while we were away.

Isaac went to the edge of town where a group of men were building a new building. After a demonstration

of his carpentry skills, the foreman asked him if he could start the next day. Pleased with himself, Isaac

decided that he would held to the saloon for a celebratory beverage. There, a redhead wearing what

barely qualified as a dress caught his eye. She was playing at darts, and he wandered over to introduce

himself.

“Good day, miss,” he said, “My name is Isaac Thompson. How are you on this fine day?”

“Just lovely,” she replied, offering her hand for a kiss. “I‟m Holly, and you must be new in town. I‟m sure I

would have remembered someone as handsome as you.”

“It‟s very nice to meet you, Holly. I hope that we‟ll have a chance to get to know each other better.”

“Oh, I‟m sure that we can arrange for that,” she flirted.

“I‟m very much looking forward to that.”

Before things went too far, Alex and I arrived back in town. On a hunch, Alex went into the saloon where

he found his cousin.

“Isaac, we‟ve claimed the homestead. Katie‟s anxious to get settled in.”

“Alex, this is Holly.”

Alex nodded in her direction. “We want to get going so that we can get unloaded today.”

“Okay, Alex. See you soon, Holly.”

“I‟ll be counting the hours,” she said with a wink.

I was sitting in the wagon, holding the reins. Isaac and Alex climbed in the wagon, and just before I clicked

the reigns, I noticed the young lady who I would come to know as Holly waving to the wagon.

“Really, Isaac?” I asked, nodding in her direction.

“Aw, Kaylynn. I‟ve been good for months. Can‟t a man have a little fun?”

I sighed. “Keep it out of my house.”

“I will. I promise.”

Within a few weeks, we were settled into the old Griffin homestead. After we gave it a thorough scrubbing

from top to bottom, the house was actually quite nice. Isaac partitioned off the one large room so that we

had a proper kitchen and two bedrooms, and the one large room that served as dining room, parlor, and

study.

I worked to put the small kitchen garden into order. I was sure about how much of a green thumb I would

have, but I found it very soothing to plant and then tend the garden. Alex helped at first, but he quickly got

recruited to write for the small town newspaper.

It was hard work, but we were both happy, Alex especially. Being out of the city had done wonders for his

spirits. Though I had never lived anywhere but the city, I quickly came to appreciate the simple joys of farm

life.

Isaac seemed to be happy as well. He had steady work as a carpenter, and he frequently spent time in

town after he was done work. Alex and I didn‟t ask how he spent his time, nor did he volunteer the

information. It was much simpler to remain in the dark as to how Isaac spent his time and money.

Judging by the smiles that were always on his face when he would finally arrive home, Isaac was seeing

quite a bit of his lady friend Holly.

Before long, my pregnancy started to show.

Alex was thrilled about the prospect of becoming a father.

I continued to care for the garden, even as I grew larger. Alex worried about me, but I told him that I would

be fine as long as I didn‟t push myself too hard.

And I was. I continued to work in the garden until the days before our baby would arrive were short.

“It must be nearly time,” commented Alex one afternoon.

“I hope so. I can‟t wait to feel like myself again.”

Just then, I felt the beginnings of my labor. Alex was in a panic, but managed to calm down enough to

send Isaac for the doctor. He arrived just in the nick of time.

Our son, Peter, was born shortly after the doctor arrived. He had my green eyes, and red hair that must

have come from Alex‟s mother, Carolina. He was strong and healthy, and all we could have asked for.

Not long after the baby was born, Alex came to me. The town was in want of a school teacher for a two-

month term. He knew that I had always wanted to teach, and offered to take leave from the paper so that I

could do so.

After an interview by the school examiners, I was granted a third class certificate, and became the school

ma‟rm for Simta Fe.

The class was small and young, as many of the parents elected to keep their children home to help on the

homesteads. Still, I was determined to do everything I could to help them learn.

I like to think that I was a good teacher, but having such little formal schooling myself I was never quite

sure. The students listened to what I had to say, and were eager learners, and I found them quite

delightful.

Altogether, teaching was a wonderful experience that I was glad to have done.

In particular, there was one little girl who captured my attention. Her name was Sarah, and she had the

same thirst for knowledge that I had at her age.

I wish that we could have kept in touch, but it was not to be. Her Pa died just as my term was ending, and

her Ma elected to go back East with the family. I like to think that Sarah was able to do something with her

life, but I never was able to find out what happened once they left Simta Fe.

After my teaching term ended, I decided that I missed the farm too much for me to continue to teach.

Besides the farm, I missed Peter. He was growing up so quickly. It was time for his birthday before we

knew it.

He grew into an even sturdier boy who was constantly getting into things.

Not long after Peter‟s toddler birthday, I came in from the garden to find Isaac and Alex talking.

“Isaac, why didn‟t you tell us that your, uh, friend, Holly, died a few years ago?”

Isaac nodded. “I don‟t know. Guess I thought you wouldn‟t care. She was a sweet girl. And I knew that

Kaylynn wasn‟t to keen on my…relationship with her.”

“Isaac, I ran into Carlos earlier today. He let it slip as to why she died. Did you know that she died in

childbirth?”

Isaac drew in a breath. “I never knew.”

“I thought not.”

“The baby…was it…”

“A little girl called Lenora. I guess that Carlos and Rosa have been caring for her for the past few years.

She‟s about Peter‟s age now.”

“Why did you tell me this, Alex?”

“Is there a chance that the baby could be yours?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Isaac, I think you know what I‟m asking. Is there a chance that you could be Lenora‟s father?”

“Of course there‟s a chance! What do you think, that we just spent all our time playing cards?”

Alex was silent for a long time. “The honorable thing to do would be to adopt the child and raise her as

your own.”

Isaac snorted. “In case you haven‟t noticed, I‟m not exactly an honorable person. Why do you think I was

so eager to get out of Massimchusetts? I had already ruined the reputations of several young ladies there.”

“The DeVegas won‟t be able to raise her much longer. She‟ll have to go to one of the orphanages. You

know what they‟re like.”

“But she may not even be mine! Why would I go through the trouble of raising a child, a girl at that, if

there‟s a possibility that I‟m not her father?”

“Because there‟s a chance that she is yours, Isaac. No child should grow up without a father,” I interjected.

The room became uncomfortably quiet after I spoke. After several very long moments, Isaac got up and

joined me on the sofa.

“You‟re right, Kaylynn. If there‟s a chance that I‟m her father, I should be the one to raise her. But I don‟t

know anything about children! How am I supposed to be a father for her? The kind of father that she

deserves.”

“No one ever knows, Isaac. You have to learn as you go. Alex and I will help you, won‟t we?”

“Of course we‟ll help. Lenora‟s family, after all.”

“Can we go get her now? I‟d like to meet her and get her used to her new home and family?”

“Of course. Come help me hitch up the wagon. Kaylynn, can you…”

“I‟ll get a place ready for her to sleep and do my best to prepare Peter for his new cousin.”

“Excellent! We should be back shortly,” Alex said as he exited the house with Isaac.

Despite his worries, Isaac was a wonderful father. Lenora took to him immediately, and she got along well

with her Auntie and Uncle as well. Little Peter loved having a playmate his own age, and the two would

occupy themselves with mud pies while I took care of the garden.

For the first time in many years, Isaac seemed truly happy. It appeared that the love he had always sought

from the company of ladies was found right at home, with the little girl he called his daughter.

Alex and I couldn‟t have been happier with our decision to go west. The life we were building was exactly

what we had always hoped for. I knew that my Ma and Pa, had they been around to see it, would have

been tremendously proud of me. I had what they had hoped for their children when they left SimIreland all

those years ago: a happy life, a loving home, and a little piece of dirt to call my own.

I cannot wait to see what else the future holds for my family.

*************************************************************************************************************************

I hope you enjoyed Kaylynn, Alex and Isaac‟s little adventure. It was a treat for me to take a little break

from the regular legacy. This interlude was made possible by the lovely clothing created at All About Style,

and the amazing Old Western lots at Sims Design Avenue.

I also hope that my Spanish translations weren‟t too horrible. I took French myself, and used the Google

translator to help me with Carlos‟ talk.

Up next, another interlude. Alex‟s twin, Phily, will get her turn in the spotlight as she and Meadow Thayer

enjoy their Grand Tour.

Thank you very much for reading. Please leave comment on the thread at Boolprop.com. Until next time!